Thread Number: 24955
Homeless no more: the 1975 Kenmore washer...
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Post# 385434   10/15/2009 at 01:01 (5,278 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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This little one showed up in our haulaway pile Monday. It caught my eye because she had a console that I hadn't seen in 15 years. After conferring with Kevin and Gordon, I'm understanding this to be a rare bird. I'm sure that Gordon can explain that a bit more.




Post# 385436 , Reply# 1   10/15/2009 at 01:02 (5,278 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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The model number tag...

Post# 385437 , Reply# 2   10/15/2009 at 01:05 (5,278 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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Lots of features. The cabinette is in need of some paint repair from many good scratches. The rear leveling leg assy is also needing some love BUT the console is in great shape.

Post# 385439 , Reply# 3   10/15/2009 at 01:12 (5,278 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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The tub cover and innards are also in good shape. What also caught my eye was the agitator. 5 vanes but I didn't think it looked like a penta. Very aggresive on clothes movement. I shot some brief video of a quick wash and spin.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO redcarpetdrew's LINK


Post# 385440 , Reply# 4   10/15/2009 at 01:18 (5,278 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        
Even the inside lid just shines!

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The bearings are silent and the wash and spin are strong. There is some vibratory noise that I think comes from the damaged rear leveling assy. Did I mention that she's no longer homeless? Our good friend Gordon wants to give her a loving home. I don't think this washer could go to a better person. I'm happy to pass her on. One more classic rescued from the crusher, destined for another long life.

RCD


Post# 385443 , Reply# 5   10/15/2009 at 01:36 (5,278 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
Another KM washer saved!

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Great save Andy! I'm happy I was able to bring Gordon into our conversation about this machine... AND that he wants it (I knew he would!).

You have got the best job Andy! You come across all these unwanted "haul-aways" and are able to give them a "pardon" and a chance at a new life!

Three cheers for Andy!


Post# 385487 , Reply# 6   10/15/2009 at 08:48 (5,278 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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Andy -

WOW - that machine cleaned up better than I had imagined.

That machine IS a rare bird. It came on the market as a 1975 500 series model, with a 1975 70 series and 1974 60 and 80 series stablemates, along with a couple lower end 100 and 200 series machine for the BOL representation. This was basically the FIRST all-encompasing large capacity line for Kenmore. They were available until fall 1975 though I remember clearance models in early 1976. There had been random large tub 18lb. models from about 1965/66 into 1973, but they were "one off" models that supplemented the line, had just a corner on the sales floor, and no matching dryers. These machines were what turned the tide for Kenmore from standard to a large capacity focus.

The development of the Penta-Vane and Penta-Swirl agitators (and a little later the Dual Action) eliminated the serviceability issues found with the ginormous agitators of earlier models. I think these were particularly handsome machines, but they were not around long, as by late fall 1975 the famous black-panel machines were in the stores and buyers loved their looks. This particular machine and the 60 series were not around long enough to see any engineering revisions (which cause a minor change in the model number). That's a good indicator of the short production life of the model. The model number is 110.72550100 - there was no 110.72550110, etc. and I've seen some models get up to '40 at the end of the number, meaning it was revised four times.

My mom got a 1974 Kenmore 60 as her second washer. It is only marginally different from this machine. I believe Rodrigo in Brazil has one. I saved a copy from the dumpster in 1990 but have yet to rebuild it (it needs a cabinet professional repaint). I also have a 1975 70. I'll share their pics for comparison.

COOL washer Andy, and THANKS. It sounds GREAT in the video. I am getting more and more convinced that the Penta-Vane offers better rollover than the 'Swirl. Interesting....

Gordon


Post# 385489 , Reply# 7   10/15/2009 at 08:52 (5,278 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
Here are a couple pics of this machine's relatives:

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The 1974 Kenmore 60. It had an infinite water level (very useful in a big tub machine) and a Pre-Soak cycle.

Post# 385490 , Reply# 8   10/15/2009 at 08:53 (5,278 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        
And the 1975 big-brother 70 series

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This machine was the LAST full-size 29-inch Kenmore model to use the skinny quiet-pak belt.

Post# 385553 , Reply# 9   10/15/2009 at 13:59 (5,278 days old) by alr2903 (TN)        

Mom had the pic#385489, iirc it took 28 gallons to fill it. (one time). I think they were the biggest Kenmores ever. Very deep tub and large in diameter. IMHO they washed better than any machine at the time. I think the spin was slowed down some, to make it more friendly to folks with a wooden floor installation. If you had large clothes baskets it would hold a basket plus 1/2. I always thought the brushed chrome on each side of the timer was nice. The matching electric dryer lasted 25 years. alr2903

Post# 385554 , Reply# 10   10/15/2009 at 14:00 (5,278 days old) by lebron (Minnesota)        

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Wow nice machine I love these styles of control panels, so timeless.

Post# 385578 , Reply# 11   10/15/2009 at 15:34 (5,278 days old) by kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)        

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alr2903 -

The tubs/baskets used in these machines are/were the same size as those used in all previous large capacity machines and were unchanged until 1981. Belt-drive Whirlpool and Kenmore non-portable models came in five basic tub capacities:

1) The 24-inch standard capacity. This was unchanged from the 50s to the 80s, with the exception of the centerpost design.

2) The 29-inch standard capacity from the 50s to early 1981.

3) The 29-inch standard tub late 1981-1987. This tub and basket are hardly noticeably different from the previous, but are 5/8 of an inch wider and have three rows of interrupted perfs on the bottom vs. the contiuous circle.

4) 196?-1981 large capacity - These were all the same dimensions, though the tub volume appeared to vary based on the color of the porcelain (blue speckle, beige speckle, or white) and the agitator installed.

5) 1981-early 1987 large capacity - This was the result of the same re-design that affected the original standard tubs. Prior to 1981, standard and large cap. machines utilized different baseplates and even different cabinets. The redesign allowed for the use of the same baseplate between both capacities, and in so doing, the standard tub had to be enlarged, while the large was made smaller by a bit. This tub is about 3/4 of an inch narrower than the previous big tub, and similarly shallower also. Tub capacity went from almost 3.0 cu. ft. with a DA agitator to 2.8. Believe it or not, I think the Penta-Vane and the DA are better suited to this tub size than the previous large capacity.

Gordon



Post# 385602 , Reply# 12   10/15/2009 at 18:43 (5,278 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)        

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True, it's fun working for a dealer where I get the 'pick of the litter'. That's how I got my 72 Maytag set. It can also be a pill, as it's been said, that you can't save everything. We sure do haul a lot of newer machines away, mostly newer GE's and Whirlpool/Kenmore D/D's...

I didn't realize this washer was a one year wonder. WOW. Based on your above informative posts, I say again that this washer is going to a great home.

RCD


Post# 387636 , Reply# 13   10/23/2009 at 23:58 (5,269 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)        

Nice Find. That console looks pristine, as does the tub. Honestly I would never have guessed THIS to be a 500; as it looks like the 60 that Gordon posted. I find it intriguing how Kenmore models were designated during the 70s/80s time frames, and the factors that determined their series rankings. A rare model like this just adds to that.

Have a good one,
James


Post# 387760 , Reply# 14   10/24/2009 at 12:57 (5,269 days old) by rp2813 (Sannazay)        

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My mom's was the one with the gold/orange scheme on the dial. I helped her pick it out back in 1975. It was indeed the Quiet Pak with skinny belt; no fun to replace. It served her well for 25 years and could have kept going instead of being hauled away. Long story that didn't involve me.

It was a great machine, very silent when agitating, partly due to the Penta-Swirl agitator, but mainly due to the belt. I think Mike in CT has her same model. It had an automatic detergent dispenser for the "soak and wash" cycle so there was never a need to go back to the machine after the soak was done and add more detergent manually.

Great save Drew!


Post# 387777 , Reply# 15   10/24/2009 at 13:56 (5,269 days old) by mickeyd (Hamburg NY)        
"Great save Andy ".......ditto, Ralph, cool story

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Gordon, good luck with the newest addition to your fertile Kenmore nursery ;'D

Your friend,

Mike



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